Nonsegregating chute



.Iune 24, 1930. R GARDNER V 1,768,247

NONSEGRIEGATING CHUTE Filed HOV. 1.4, 1927 I N VEN TOR.

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Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES ROLLAND GARDNER, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO NONSEGREGATING GHUTE Application filed November 14, 1927. Serial No. 233,035.

This invention relates to feed chutes, and more particularly chutes for feeding ungraded materials; and it is among the objects of the invention to provide a construction which prevents segregation into various zones of coarse and fine particles. A further object is the provision of a construction which is Well adapted to manufacturing and erecting conditions. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such being illustrative however of but one of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation; Fig. 3 is a vertical sect on taken on a plane indicated by the line III-III, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view with all of the cover casing removed; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a chute having an upper feed inlet 2, and diverging to a wide discharge outlet 3 which is aligned across a stoker or other device to be fed thereby. The chute comprises in general a downwardly inclined distributing edge and a forwarding surface or surfaces receiving material therefrom. As an advantageous embodiment of this, the material-handling wall or floor B of the chute may comprise a central distributing portion 4 for example of plane surface and of generally triangular outline with base above under the inlet and apex directed below, and presenting distributing edges d, and at each side sloping therefrom is a forwarding surface 5. The latter are usually of triangular shape, and the entire assemblage represents planes in dihedral relation, such that sloping surfaces are provided of suitable feed slant, for example a main surface may present a forty-five degree angle to the horizontal. A foot plate 6 below,'and also of general triangular shape is set in a different plane, and has its apex joined to the apex of the distributing surface 4; The thus constituted floor or material-handling wall is of a general geometric shape in the form of a. pyramid with one narrow face, and opposite thereto a broad face, which latter in the final position of the device is below.

An auxiliary wall or casing F ordinarily is spaced in general substantially at a more or less uniform distance from the floor or material-handling wall, and forms together with the adjacent portion of the floor, the inlet above, and at the lower end a discharge opening of substantially uniform rectangular section.

In use, with material of ungraded or varied size portions fed into the inlet 2, the particles will slide down the distributing surface 4 and successively over the distributing edges d onto the forwarding surfaces 5, and thence in turn over the foot edges e to 7 discharge. Such discharge may be into a stoker for instance or other device as desired. By virtue of the arranged angle of slope of the respective surfaces, a substantially uniform retardation is imparted to the respective particles, such as to neutralize tendencies for fine and coarse particles to run in respective segregation zones. In this manner, ungraded materials which it is desired to feed without incurring segregation may be forwarded and spread out into a wide discharge stream, without afiecting the relative degree of admixture of sizes. Particularly, in the case of stokers, this is. advantageous, since it allows of the elimination of preparatory grading and sizing, and mine-run coal for instance can be successfully handled to great advantage. Moreover by virtue of the form of construction employed, both manufacturing and erecting are without particular complication or difficulty.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a feed chute, means for preventing segregation in ungraded materials passing thereover, said means including a downwardly inclined distributing edge diagonal to the direction of feed, and a forwarding surface for receiving material therefrom, said surface being inclined in more than one plane.

2. In a feed chute, means for preventing segregation in ungraded materials passing thereover, said means including a triangular distributing surface with apex directed downwardly, and dihedrally arranged forwarding surfaces at each side of said distributing surface. I

3. In a feed chute, means for preventing segregation in ungraded materials passing thereover, said means including a triangular distributing surface with apex directed downwardly, and a forwarding surface at each side of said distributing surface inclinedlateral- 1y therefrom.

4. In a feed chute, means for preventing segregation in ungraded materials passing thereover, said means including a triangular distributing surface with apex directed downwardly, dihedrally arranged forwarding surfaces at each side of said distributing ROLLAND GARDNER.

surface, and a casing spaced from said sur faces and completing an inlet above and a discharge outlet below.

5. In a feed chute, means for preventing segregation inrungraded materials passing thereover, said means including an. inclined distributing surface with apex below, a vertical triangular foot plate'having its apex at the apex of warding surfaces joining the edges of said distributing surface and said plate.

6. In a feed chute, means for preventing segregation in ungraded materials passing thereover, said means including an inclined distributing surface with apex below, a vertical triangular foot plate having its apex at the apex of the distributing surface, forwarding surfaces joining the edges of said distributing surface and said foot plate, and a casing spaced from said surfaces and foot plate and completing an inlet above and a discharge outlet below.

7 In a feed chute, means for preventing segregation in ungraded materials passing thereover, said means including dihedrally related surfaces comprising a central triangular distributing surface with apex below, and lateral forwarding surfaces, the angle of inclination presented to lines of flow. on each of such surfaces approximately fortyf'rve degrees. l i

8. Ina feed chute, means. for preventing segregation in ungraded materials passing thereover, said means including dihedrally the distributing surface, and. for-' 

